Monday, July 31, 2017

Adventure Seed: Grendel Keep

It is said that during the reign of, King Álvis, the last to rule from the Ivory Throne of Albion, there was a time of darkness. A cruel and malicious spirit, known only as The Grendel, had taken hold of the hearts of the people of Albion. War and strife swept the once gentle kingdom, setting brother against brother, mother against child. It was a time of discord and plague. Only the Ljósálfar King and his faithful lords and servants, were immune to the darkness that corrupted the land. The Grendel's hold began to tighten as an army of the strongest began to form under his black banner. The Kingdom of Albion would soon be forever lost, if not for the last desperate sacrifice of the Ljósálfar King.

King Álvis, and his champions rode into battle before The Grendel had finished consolidating its power. In disarray, the Armies of the Black Lord, were unable to keep the king and his men from entering the citadel of their master. A great struggle was joined between the Darkness and the Light. King Álvis, discharged the last of his legendary magics and with it the last of his immortality, bringing the fell horror of The Grendel to an end. The citadel was brought to ruin, and the armies serving the black banner dispersed across the land.

The surviving Ljósálfar lords, built a keep on the ruined site of The Grendel's citadel, and interned the body of their fallen king. Legend has it that the holy site serves as both a reminder of those dark times, and also to keep the powers of, The Grendel, from ever reforming.

Grendel Keep

Image courtesy of Wizards of the Coast - Map-A-Week Archives

Grendel Keep, can be located anywhere you wish in your campaign. The background story and the mythical Kingdom of Albion, are tales far older than anyone remembers, so they need not interfere with current, or past, story lines. These are just suggested story elements, and need not be used at your discretion. It is left to the Game Master whether or not "dungeon" levels from the Black Lord's Citadel still exist under the foundations of Grendel Keep. The current lord of the keep is, Lord Aethelwulf, and Lady Bronwyn.

Ground Level:

Courtyard(Lower Left) - Stables, and blacksmith's shop

Outer Bailey(Right) - Chapel (with guarded room down to the Tomb of King Álvis), well, training grounds, workshops, and storage

Inner Bailey(Upper Left) - Barracks, servants' quarters, kitchen, well, storage, basement of the Lord's Hall with servants' quarters, and the front steps leading up to the Lord's Hall entrance (accessible only by drawbridge)

Image courtesy of Wizards of the Coast - Map-A-Week Archives

Upper Level:

Courtyard - Wheelhouse for portcullis at main gate

Outer Bailey - Living quarters over the chapel, library

Inner Bailey - Drawbridge and front doors to the Lord's hall (lowers out to top of steps out front), front hall, reception hall (middle wall can be opened to either side to extend the reception hall)

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Image courtesy of Wizards of the Coast - Map-A-Week Archives

Upper Tower Levels of Lord's Hall:

Third Story (Left Map) - Private receiving room, council chamber, the Lord's study

Fourth Story (Right Map) - Private quarters and rooms of the Lord and Lady

Image courtesy of Wizards of the Coast - Map-A-Week Archives

﻿Suggested NPCs:

Lord Aethelwulf - Lord of the surrounding lands, experienced knight

Lady Bronwyn - Both sorceress and priestess, she follows the Old Religion